angel - rafe cameron (outerbanks)

11 - run

chapter 39
run

the next morning, the sun streamed through angie's window, but she didn't feel it. it was like the world outside was moving, while she remained stuck in a place that felt colder than she ever remembered it being.

the news had spread fast—john b had been arrested. charged at the courthouse for the murder of sheriff peterkin. it should've been something angie wanted to witness, something she felt like she should be a part of, especially for sarah. but as much as she wanted to be there for her friend, to show her that she wasn't alone, angie couldn't bring herself to leave the warmth of her bed. that morning she felt awful.

her phone buzzed relentlessly beside her, but she couldn't find the strength to check it. she didn't care about the messages. she had cried so much the night before, her emotions raw and laid bare like nothing she had ever felt before. her body still ached from it, her eyes puffy from hours of sobbing. and through it all, one thought kept circling her mind. Why didn't she just walk away when she had the chance?

rafe's words still stung, as if his confession had embedded itself deep inside her chest, and no matter how much she tried to shove it away, it wouldn't leave.

I love you.

and she hated it. she hated that it made her heart flutter for half a second before the dread washed over her again.

she squeezed her eyes shut, willing the thoughts to fade away. she couldn't think about rafe. not now.

but how could she not? when everything felt so damn impossible. when nothing seemed right anymore. she wanted to be there for her friends, but how could she when she felt like she was falling apart at the seams herself?

the clock on her nightstand ticked by, and for the first time in a while, she felt lost—completely lost in a sea of confusion, self-doubt, and a little bit of guilt for not being able to pull herself together.

the sound of sirens echoed outside. so many sirens it sounded like the whole damn police department was out. angie sat up, her heart already pounding as she moved toward the window.

blue and red lights flashed against the early morning haze, all of them screaming in the same direction—toward tannyhill.

shit.

she felt it in her chest before her mind could catch up. a deep, sinking feeling, like something was wrong. like something was really wrong.

without thinking, she ripped her phone from her pocket, her fingers moving before she could stop herself. she pulled up an all too familiar number, the one she had sworn she wouldn't use again.

she wasn't sure why she did it. maybe it was because of what he said last night. maybe it was because, despite everything, she still cared. maybe it was because, deep down, she knew—when sirens were heading toward tannyhill, it could only mean one thing.

her hands trembled as she typed.

i think you need to run.

barry should've slammed the door in his face.

really, he should've.

but when he pulled it open and saw rafe standing there—soaking wet, slouched against the doorframe, looking like a kicked dog—barry just sighed and stepped aside.

"you look like shit."

rafe barely reacted, just let out a heavy breath as he stumbled inside, dripping water all over the floor like some sad, drowned rat. barry ran a hand down his face. great. just what i need.